Name: Tortellini Pasta Salad with Fresh Vegetables, Salami, and Herb Vinaigrette Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini; 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped; 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls; 2 cups baby spinach or arugula; 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil; 1/2 cup chopped salami or pepperoni; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp honey; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients

20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, peeled and chopped

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped

1 cup fresh mozzarella balls

1/2 cup chopped salami or pepperoni

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups baby spinach or arugula

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the tortellini in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl.

Step 2: While the tortellini cooks, make the dressing. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Shake well until fully emulsified.

Step 3: Pour half of the dressing over the warm tortellini and toss gently to coat. Let it cool for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, mozzarella balls, chopped salami, grated Parmesan, spinach or arugula, and fresh basil to the bowl with the tortellini.

Step 5: Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 6: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, toss again and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed.

Step 7: Garnish with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian option, omit the salami or pepperoni and add roasted vegetables like bell peppers or artichokes.

Use tri-color tortellini for a more visually appealing dish.

Make the salad a day ahead to deepen the flavor, but add fresh basil just before serving to maintain its brightness.

Swap baby spinach for arugula if you prefer a peppery bite.

FAQs

Can I use dried tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Yes, but be sure to cook dried tortellini according to package instructions, which usually takes longer than refrigerated. Cool them thoroughly before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting.

How long should I marinate the tortellini in the dressing?

Allowing the tortellini to sit in half the dressing for about 10 minutes helps it soak up flavor. Then refrigerating the full salad for at least 2 hours enhances the overall taste and allows the ingredients to meld beautifully.